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Wife bike choices

  1. #51
    Lifer PhilB's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by Garandman View Post
    ... For my wife and mother of three, with a grand total of maybe 40 miles of riding experience, if I can do anything to make riding safer, I'm going to do it: gear, training classes, and bike. Even if I have to buy her a new bike and she scratches it up, worth it to me, as if anything ever happens to her that I could have prevented, I'd never get over it.
    Ah, I didn't grasp that this was effectively going to be a first bike. I think most of the bikes mentioned so far are not good bikes for a beginning rider, and would suggest starting with a CBR300, R3, Ninja 300, or similar, for a year or two before switching to just about any of the bikes suggested.

    My wife rode a Nighthawk 250 for a couple years, before I got her a Monster (which is a great *second* bike). My daughter has the 250 now.

    PhilB

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  2. #52
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    I have a 2014 Ducati Monster 1200s for sales and the seat height should be fine for her. Comes with ABS and traction control. She can ride it in city mode and that would nerf the bike to 100 HP.


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    Last edited by imstuner; 04-28-17 at 01:09 PM.

  3. #53
    Lifer PhilB's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by imstuner View Post
    I have a 2014 Ducati Monster 1200s for sales and the seat height should be fine for her. Comes with ABS and traction control. She can ride it in city mode and that would nerf the bike to 100 HP.
    This is not a good idea. I gather that he actually likes his wife, and wants to keep her around for a while.

    PhilB

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    "A free man must be able to endure it when his fellow men act and live otherwise than he considers proper." -- Ludwig von Mises
    1993 Ducati Monster M900; 265,000 miles -- killed by minivan 30Oct17

  4. #54
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    She feels comfortable riding the TrailWay 200 so I'm bringing it down from nh tomorrow for her to ride.

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  5. #55
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Those are cool bikes. Always wanted one in the stable.

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  6. #56
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by gregp View Post
    If I were buying a new bike for my wife, I would be looking at the Honda 500's, or the new Kawasaki 300 Versys-X, or maybe an AJP PR-3/4 (for a more off-road focus). The 2 most important considerations would be seat height, and weight, as I would probably be keeping her off of the highways for a couple of years.
    The Suzuki TU250 has an upright riding position and FI, though no ABS. Might be a good around town bike.

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  7. #57
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    The TU fuel injection is primitive though.

    While riding them at MSF classes they will often shut off while clutch is pulled in when coming to a stop.

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  8. #58
    Lifer SprintPoser's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    As someone else mentioned, the Triumph Street Twin is equipped with ABS, TC and butter-smooth FI.

    Not cheap, and generally none available used yet as they first appeared in 2016. I saw one used one on Cycle Trader, and coincidentally was bought as wife's first bike. Apparently she chickened out and "prefers to be a passenger" as it has only 175 miles on it.

    2016 Triumph STREET TWIN, Schuylkill Haven PA - - Cycletrader.com

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  9. #59
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    From a 2011 study:

    A study by Teoh (2011) compared motorcycle driver involvement in fatal crashes per 10,000 registered vehicles in the US. The comparison was made between motorcycles models with optional ABS and those same models without ABS. The fatality rate was found in this study to be 37% lower for the model versions with ABS compared to the non-ABS versions.
    Whether ABS models have lower insurance rates is unknown to me.

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  10. #60
    Lifer Imbeek's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    How many bike models are even available both with and without abs?

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    Last edited by Imbeek; 05-03-17 at 06:37 AM.

  11. #61
    Lifer SprintPoser's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    I'd add any risk reduction available, regardless if insurance rates were or weren't affected.

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  12. #62
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by Imbeek View Post
    How many bike models are even available both with and without abs?
    At the time, a number of the large sport tourers and Adventure tourers, as well as certain years of VStrom, SV650, Ninja 10000, many Triumphs, some Harleys, etc etc. The study was 2011 and since then more bikes have it standard. The EU required ABS on road bikes starting in 2016, so the number of bikes available with ABS continues to increase.

    Motorcycle ABS compulsory from 2016 | Visordown

    When I took the second day of the Lee Parks ARC course, a guy locked up the front wheel on a Concourse in a panic braking drill. He dislocated his shoulder and I understand the damage was over $2,000 because of the body work. Straight, flat pavement cleaned by a street sweeper, 30mph. Got everyone's attention.

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    Last edited by Garandman; 05-03-17 at 07:41 AM.

  13. #63
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    I am surprised by those numbers. But I will set aside my bias and accept it. Go for ABS.

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  14. #64
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    I asked a Boston motorcycle cop what the worst part of their job was, and he replied, "Wet cobblestones."

    Harley added ABS because they were losing the police bike market to BMW and others with ABS. Cambridge has BMW police bikes, not sure if there are other locals.

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  15. #65
    Lifer
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    I'm sure that's why Harley added ABS. Exactly why.

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  16. #66
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by nhbubba View Post
    I'm sure that's why Harley added ABS. Exactly why.
    Here is their Press Release. Don't think it was offered on other models until 2008, though I also don't care....

    "HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO OFFER ABS ON POLICE MODELS IN 2005

    Milwaukee (July 15, 2004) - Harley-Davidson will offer an optional anti-lock braking system (ABS) on three police motorcycle models in the 2005 model year. The ABS is designed to give motor patrol officers maximal braking effect without wheel lock-up in all-weather emergency situations, especially on slick roads. The system retains traditional independent front and rear wheel braking control.
    The Harley-Davidson ABS will be offered on the FLHTPI Electra Glide and FLHPI Road King police models, and on the California FLHPEI Escort model. The system will not be offered with Harley-Davidson Police Sidecar installations and will not be available on the XLH Sportster 883 police model. Harley-Davidson does not plan to offer ABS on other motorcycle models available to the general public, but Harley-Davidson will continue to monitor customer interest in ABS.

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    Last edited by Garandman; 02-21-18 at 02:17 PM.

  17. #67
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Wife/Bike choice.

    Bike.

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  18. #68
    Senior Member bstnsboy's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Degsy just posted up a sweet low mileage 750ss.....

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    Last edited by bstnsboy; 05-04-17 at 09:07 PM.

  19. #69
    Don't run with the pack. whynot's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by Garandman View Post
    She feels comfortable riding the TrailWay 200 so I'm bringing it down from nh tomorrow for her to ride.
    gregp mentioned the Versys 300. I saw one yesterday when I was at SVM -- looked like a very nice package, ABS available. Might be a good next bike after the TW200.

    They are holding their spring open house Saturday May 6, with demo rides.
    Souhegan Valley Motorsports | Featuring new and preowned motorsports from top brands including Kawasaki, Husqvarna, Can-Am, Spyder and many more as well as parts, service and financing options
    Nice shop, good people.

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    And don't believe everything you think.

  20. #70
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    When I began riding, I went with the Ninja 250 (the 300's were not available yet) and it was the perfect bike to begin on. I had taken the motorcycle safety course and ride in full gear only.

    Last June, we purchased a Ninja 650 for me and it's awesome. You can get it ABS or non-ABS and the dealer recommended the ABS due to the safety. My husband did some research and it sounds as though it is worth its weight in gold. Bike is about 425 pounds and has some great pep to it, but is also easily controlled. I don't regret our purchase at all!

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    2016 Ninja 650

  21. #71

    Re: Wife bike choices

    Have you consider the KTM Duke 690? It's a light bike and has good power. The reviews are great

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  22. #72
    Junior Member Stevie's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by feralchimp View Post
    A little surprised no one's mentioned the Triumph Street Twin.
    Because the Street Triple is SO much better. It's as mild mannered and well-behaved as any new rider could ask for, but is always willing to come out and play. At a hair over 400# wet, it's about as light as the small bikes but with a motor no one would outgrow.

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  23. #73
    Lifer bryco13's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    What about the new smaller/lighter HD offerings?

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  24. #74
    Lifer
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by Stevie View Post
    Because the Street Triple is SO much better. It's as mild mannered and well-behaved as any new rider could ask for, but is always willing to come out and play. At a hair over 400# wet, it's about as light as the small bikes but with a motor no one would outgrow.
    The street triple is a wonderful bike, but with all due respect not the best beginner bike. The brakes and throttle are way to sensitive. If we had the option like they do in Europe to restrict the bikes that would make sense for the first year. Street twin is a nice standard with much milder brakes and throttle. I agree that it is a better beginner bike. Having rented the new Bonneville 1200

    In any case, I would do a TU250X for the first year or two and then sell it for the same price or similar to what I bought it and upgrade

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    Last edited by dankatz; 06-04-17 at 01:33 PM.
    '15 Ducati Scrambler, '13 Multistrada 1200S, '07 VFR, '14 CRF250L/M, '15 FJ-09, '23 Tuareg

  25. #75
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Wife bike choices

    Quote Originally Posted by bryco13 View Post
    What about the new smaller/lighter HD offerings?
    Have to deal with an HD dealer, they're cruiserish (i.e., function follows form), and the stock suspension is really low spec.

    If my wife wants one, so be it, she still likes the TrailWay 200 so it may be another season.

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